SHARE

UPDATE: Winds spur fire evacuations in Rocky Mountain park

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK — A wind-stoked fire has burned at least one cabin and forced the evacuation of several areas in and near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Fire spokeswoman Traci Weaver says the Fern Lake Fire grew rapidly this morning, but winds have since died down, allowing crews to gain the upper hand.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said today the evacuations were in place for the Highway 66 corridor and all adjacent streets. The east side of Rocky Mountain National Park also is closed.

Weaver says the blaze was reported Oct. 9 and was likely caused by an illegal campfire. The fire had been listed at 1,500 acres and 40 percent contained, but Weaver says those figures have likely changed since it blew up today.